Filling machine and method



April 28, 1942. P. H. ALLEN FILLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 26, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 28, 1942. p, ALLEN I 2,280,776

FILLQING MACHINE AND METHOD.

Fild May 26, 1939 s Sheets-Sheet 2 54 5a /4 EM V 7 4/45 5? /7 53 ii i/ W A w I F-IE E 35 INVENTOR April 28, 1942." EH. ALLEN 6 FILLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 26, 1959 3 She ets-Sheet 3,

INVENTOR Patented Apr. 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILLING MACHINE AND METHOD Application May 26, 1939, Serial No. 275,951

20 Claims.

This invention relates generally to filling machines of the character employed for filling cans with measured amounts of various stocks, and is concerned more particularly with a filling machine of this character which is adaptable for use in canning fruit cocktail or similar material wherein the various stocks are kept separate until they are deposited into the can.

In general practice the principal tocks used in preparing fruit cocktail are diced peaches and diced pears, and in the past it has been customary to prepare a bulk stock composed of desired proportions of the pear and peach ingredients. Usually the bulk stock is fed into the measuring pocket or container after the various individual, or more costly ingredients, such as grapes, cherries and pineapple are deposited therein. However, because of the different physical characteristics of peaches and pears, mixing of these fruits in a bulk stock has resulted in certain disadvantageous effects. The peaches being firm in character tend to injure the softer pears, particularly ripe pears, so that the edges of the diced pears become rounded and the individual cubes loose their attractive appearance. The small particles of pear meat which are rubbed off by the diced peaches form a pear slurry, at least some of which is fed into the cans so as to detract from the appearance of the cocktail mixture.

Th instant invention is designed to obviate the foregoing disadvantageous features and has for its general object the filling of the separate stocks or ingredients into a can without mixing the ingredients before their introduction int the can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filling machine in which a measured charge of stock is prepared for filling into a can with the various ingredients of the stock maintained in separate compartments until the actual filling operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filling machine which prevents injury to the softer stocks being handled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filling machine of the character referred to in which means is provided for mixing the separate stocks as they are filled into the can itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of filling separate ingredients into a container to avoid injury to such ingredients.

Qther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a filling machine embodying my invention with certain of the auxil iary mechanisms shown diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of the filling machine taken in the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the machine taken in the plane of the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a part of the dividing wall structure and is taken in a plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of such dividing wall structure as indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one of the adjustable feed hoppers for an individual stock. The plane of the view is indicated by the line 66 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modified form of measuring pockets.

Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate a modified form of the filling machine.

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the machine, with certain parts omitted.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view of the rotatable can holders and the actuating rack therefor.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane of the line HH of Fig. 10.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, the filling machine comprises generally a rotatable hopper having a series of measuring pockets carried about the periphery thereof. The pockets travel through a series of filling stations or zones to receive the various stocks which are to be fed into the cans. After the pockets are filled with the various stocks they travel into a discharge zone where their contents are discharged into cans travelling in synchronism therewith. The filling and discharge cycles occur successively to provide continuous and automatic operation of the machine.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the filling machine includes a frame [0 supported by suitable feet II. The frame carries an upright post l2 at its center, and a plurality of smaller upright posts I3 about its periphery. At their upper ends the post [2 and the posts [3 are connected by a spider frame M which is connected thereto for vertical adjustment. The foregoing parts constitute the frame-work on which the various stationary parts and the various rotating parts are mounted in their cooperative relations.

The machine includes a main hopper I6 having a side wall I! and journaled about the center post i2. Hopper I6 is provided with a slotted hub l8 (Fig. 2) threaded and clamped on sleeve IQ for vertical adjustment. Sleeve I9 is journaled about post l2 and is carried by drive gear 2|. Drive gear 2| is also journaled about post l2 and is supported by central boss 22 of the frame. Drive gear 2! (Figs. 1 and 2) is driven through pinion 23 from electric motor 24 which is suitably mounted on one of the feet II, to provide a constant speed drive for the drive gear, the rotatable hopper and the other rotating parts associated therewith including suitable'can feeding mechanism.

Referring to Fig. l, the machine may be provided with can feeding mechanism of conventional construction which includes a can feeding disc, indicating schematically at 26, from which the cans 21 are fed onto a can conveying table 28 (Fig. 2) into engagement with the recesses in a can turret 29. Turret 29 is suitably secured on drive gear 2 E, and serves to move the cans around the machine to can discharge means including disc 3! and stripper 32 of conventional construction.

As will be described later, during the travel of the cans with the can turret, they pass beneath a discharge station where the contents of the measuring pockets of the filling machine are discharged into the cans aligned therewith on the can table.

As previously stated, hopper I6 is provided with a series of measuring pockets 35 which are preferably in the form of flanged cylinders. The cylinders are removably seated in suitable apertures in the hopper l6 and depend from the bottom wall thereof. Pockets 35 are open at both ends and each pocket 35 is divided into two vertical compartments'by arcuate wall 36 which is concentric with the axis of rotation of the hopper. The lower ends of pockets 35 are spaced in close cooperative engagement with a closure plate or ring 31, which is adjustably supported by clamp means 353 from the respective posts 13. The plate 31 serves to maintain the pockets closed during the time they are being filled and until they pass over an elongated discharge aperture 39 (Figs. 1 and 3) in closure plate 3'! at which time the cans are disposed therebeneath to receive the contents of the-pockets.

To control the filling of stock into the pockets, the space within the hopper is divided into different compartments by stationary partitions car-v The portion AB of the path represents the.

discharge zone for'filling of material from the pockets to the cans. The succeeding portion BC of the path provides for filling of the individual stocks into the pockets, while the portion C .-A provides for filling of the two bulk stocks into the pockets.

During travel of the pockets through portion B-C, the respective individual stock feeders-in-- dicated schematically at 42 to M, serve to feed counted numbers of grapes, cherries and pineapple segments through their respective hoppers 46, into one of the compartments of the pockets. Each hopper G5 is provided with a hinged partition plate 41 (Figs. 1 and 6) whose upper end may be adjusted to either side so as to direct the stock into either the inner or the outer compartment of a pocket. Usually the plates 41 will be adjusted to cause feeding to the outer compartments because the pear stock is also fed to the outer compartments of the pockets and is less in proportion to the peach stock. However, the individual stocks fed by the stock feeders 42 to 44 may be placed in either compartment which may be desired, and this provides a means of proportioning the relative amounts of peach and pear stocks as will appear later.

The portion CA of the pocket travel provides for filling of the respective compartments of the pockets with the peach and pear stocks, and in order to segregate these stocks and to provide for feeding of each of them into one of the compartments of each pocket, the hopper is provided with two annular compartments provided by walls ii, 5i and 52, all supported from spider frame l4.

Through path portion C-A dividing wall 5! has section 5m whose lower edge is arcuate throughout its extent and is vertically aligned with the dividing partitions 35 in the pocket 35. Adjacent point A, wall M has section 55b extending inwardly of the hopper to a smaller radius where a second arcuate section 510 begins. Section 51c extends around the hopper and is formed by outwardly curved section Eld to the end of section 5m. Adjacent point C the wall section 5la is bent over at 53 to provide a slanting receiving wall for receiving the diced pears from the feed hopper 55. Walls 4-! and 5!, therefore, provide an annular path of travel for the diced pears so that an excess can be fed and circulated around the hopper. A flat extension 55 of wall section 5161 covers the inner or peach compartments of the pockets to prevent the circulating diced pears from falling into the peach compartments thereof. Walls 5! and 52 define an annular path through which the peaches are circulated and to which they are fed by feed hopper c In this manner the diced pears are fed to the outside of the partition wall 5|, while the diced peaches are fed to the inside of such wall, so that they will fall into the respective outside and inside compartments of the pockets traveling therethrough. In order to direct the stock towards the pockets, suitable deflector plates 57 may be provided depending from the spider frame l4 into close cooperative relation with the bottom wall of the hopper. Preferably wall 5| is mounted by bolt and slot connection 59 on spider frame 14 for radial adjustment relative to the hopper so as to be aligned with partitions 3B of various sets of pockets 35.

The operation of the machine will be described generally without specificreference to the operation of the various individual stock feeders 42 to 44 as they may be of any suitable conventional construction or may be omitted if desired.

In using the filling machine for canning of fruit cocktails, separate dicing'machines are provided for the pears and thepeaches, and the two diced fruits are conveyed separately from their respective dicing machines to their respective dischargehoppers 54 and 56; The diced'pears are discharged unto slanting portion 53 of wall to fall outside of the wall and circulate between walls I1 and 5|, and this spacing is preferably narrow to minimize the number of revolutions of excess pear stock. The peaches are discharged from the hopper 56 within the wall 5| and circulate between walls 5| and 52. The deflector plate or plates 51 outside of wall 5| are arranged so that the diced pears drop into the outer pocket compartments, and any excess stock is wiped off by wall 4|. Similarly, the diced peaches drop into the inner pocket compartments and any excess stock is removed by section 5 lb of wall 5|.

During the travel of the pockets through path portion C-A, the cans 2'! have been moved into position therebeneath so that after the pockets pass under the wall 4| and move over the opening 38 in the closure plate 31, the contents thereof are discharged into the cans. The filled cans are thereafter removed from the can table by the stripper 32 and are carried by the discharge disc 3| to suitable conveying means. The empty pockets continue their travel between from point B to point C to receive the individual stocks from hopper 46 and then move back into bulk stock filling portion CA, where they again receive their charge of diced peaches and diced pears. This cycle of operation continued throughout the operation of the machine.

If it is desired to change the proportions of diced peaches and pears, members 41 can be adjusted to place the individual stocks in either the inner or outer pocket compartments. Alternatively, the proportions can be varied by replacing the pockets as shown with other pockets 35 having their partitions 36 differently spaced, and in this event wall 5| is also adjusted into alignment with the line of travel of the partitions 36. Pockets 35 of varying diameters can also be employed for filling different sizes of cans.

Fig. '7 illustrates a telescopic pocket construction for use in varying the capacity for different can heights where the can diameter does not change. Pocket 8| includes upper and lower sections Bla and 6|b, respectively, with respective dividing partitions 62a and 621). Upper section Bla is slotted and is engaged by clamp ring 63 to maintain the lower section 6|b in adjusted position with respect thereto.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 11 is generally similar to that described above, but additionally includes means for mixing the material in the cans as it is discharged thereto. This form of the invention will be described in detail only insofar as it differs from the form shown in Fig. 1.

The filling machine includes hopper H which is similar in all respects to the hopper I6 except that it is of greater diameter to provide additional space therein. The hopper H is rotatably carried on center post |2a, which is connected by spider I la with the outer upright posts l3a, similar to those described in connection with the first modification. Hopper H is provided with a series of measuring pockets 35:]. (Figs. 6 and 5) which are similar to those described.

The hopper space is divided to provide annular paths of travel for both the diced peaches and diced pears. Thus, the hopper H is provided with a diced pear portion 12 and a diced peach portion 13 on either side of a sectional dividing wall M, which has double wall sections 15 and 16 from point A to point C in the travel of the pockets, while from point C to point A a single wall 71 is provided. The wall 11 is vertically aligned with partitions 36a in measuring pockets 35a, and is mounted for radial adjustment on spider frame Ma .by bolt and slot connections 18.

As noted, it is sometimes desirable to provide for mixing of the various ingredients during actual filling of the can while maintaining such ingredients separate until that time. For this purpose means is provided for causing relative movement between the measuring pockets and the cans during the filling operation, and this movement is preferably provided by rotating the cans. To provide rotatable supports for the cans, a series of individual rotatably mounted can holding discs 8| are provided, having a center shaft 82 journaled by bearing 83 in can table 84.

To hold a can 21 on a disc 8|, the disc is provided on one side with an upstanding lip or ledge 86 which is arcuate to conform to the contour of the can and forms a stop therefor as the cans are fed onto the disc. Opposite the lip 86 the can disc 8| is recessed as at 81 (Fig. 11) to seat a slidably mounted can retaining pin 88 which is retained in the recess by threaded plug 89. Pin 88 is normally in its lowered position as shown in Fig. 9 where it may be retained by gravity or by suitable spring pressure, with its lower end abutting the rounded edge of the can table 84 to hold the can disc 8| in the initial position shown in Fig. 9 which it occupies during feeding of a can thereto.

Means are provided for rotating the can an exact number of revolutions (in the instant case one) during the time that it is passing beneath the filling opening 38a in closure plate 31a. For this purpose each can disc 8| is provided with a gear 9| which is adapted for engagement with a stationary rack 92 (Fig. 10). Rack 92 is suitably supported from the outer posts |3a so that during the time the diced fruit is falling from the pocket into the can, the can will be rotated so that the fruit is in effect deposited in the can in a spiral fashion. As the rotation starts, the pin 88 will ride up the inclined rounded edge of the plate 84 so that its bevelled upper face will engage and hold the can against the stop 86 while the pin rides around over the surface of the can table as shown for example in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 shows the series of can discs in their various displaced positions before and during their engagement with the rack 92 and it will be seen that each can is given one complete revolution. At the end of the revolution, pin 88 drops down and engages the edge of table 84 to stop the disc 8| in its initial can receivin position. In this manner the fruit stock in the separate compartments of each pocket are mixed as they are deposited into the can.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 8 to 11 is generally similar to that described above. The principal difference being the rotation of the can during the filling operation, so that the stock from the two compartments in each measuring pocket is mixed, as it is deposited in the can.

While I have shown and described certain pre ferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention can be embodied in other forms and can be varied from the forms shown in other respects without departing from the true scope of the invention, which should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a

series of measuring pockets depending from said hopper, a substantially arcuate dividing partition in each of said pockets, said partition being arranged concentric with the axis of rotation of said hopper, a stationary arcuate dividing wall having its lower edge in vertical alignment with said partitions, and means for feeding different stocks on either side of said wall and for directme the respective stocks into said pockets.

2. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets depending from said hopper, a substantially arcuate dividing partition in each of said pockets, said partition being arranged concentric with the axis of rotation of said hopper, a stationary arcuate dividing wall having its lower edge in vertical alignment with said partitions, one portion of said wall being bent to provide a slanting stock receiving surface, and means for feeding different stocks on either side of said wall and for directing the respective stocks into said pockets, including means for feeding one of said stocks into said slanting surface.

3. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets depending from said hopper, a substantially arcuate dividing partition in each of said pockets, and stationary dividing Wall means disposed Within said hopper to provide separate endless compartments therein for receiving different stocks.

4. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets depending from said hopper, a substantially arcuate dividing partition in each of said pockets, said partitions being arranged concentric with the axis of rotation of said hopper, and stationary dividing wall means disposed within said hopper to provide separate endless compartments therein for receiving different stocks, said dividing wall means including a single wall portion aligned with said partitions and a double wall portion separating the path of travel of said pockets from said compartments.

'5. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets depending from said hopper adjacent the periphery thereof, a dividing partition in each pocket to provide radially aligned compartments therein, stationary dividing Wall means cooperatively related to said hopper including a wall aligned with said partitions in a pocket filling zone, and means for feeding one stock to the outside of said wall and another stock to the inside of said Wall, said dividing Wall means also including wall means providing separate endless paths of travel for said stock's, said path for said one stock crossing the path of travel of'said pockets at either end of said wall.

6. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets carried by said hopper,'a dividing partition in each of said pockets to provide two separate compartments therein, means for carrying said pockets through a path of travel, a wall Within said hopper aligned with the partitions in said pocket, means for supplying a stock to one side of said Wall to fill one compartment of each pocket, and means for supplying another stock to the other side of said wall to fill the other compartment of each pocket, said wall providing a separating means between thetwo kinds of stock.

'7. In a filling machine, a series of measuring pockets, a dividing partition in each of said pockets to provide two separate compartments therein, means for carrying said pockets through a path of travel, a wall having its lower edge aligned with and closely spaced with respect to said partitions, one portion of wall being bent to provide 'a slanting stock receiving surface, means for feeding a stock to said surface to fill one compartment of each pocket, and means for supplying another stock to the other side of said Wall to fill the other compartment of each pocket.

8. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets depending from said hopper, partition means dividing each pocket into a plurality of compartments, means for feeding different stocks to the respective compartments of said pockets, means for feeding cans in alignment with said pockets during a part of their path of travel, and means for rotating cans during depositing of the stock therein.

9. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets depending from said hopper, partition means dividing each pocket into a plurality of compartments, means for feeding different stocks to the respective compartments of said pockets, means for feeding cans in alignment with said pockets during a part of their path of travel including rotatable can carrying discs, a gear on each disc, and a rack for engagement with said gears to effect rotation of said discs and the cans thereon.

10. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets depending from said hopper, partition means dividing each pocket into a plurality of compartments, means for feeding different stocks to the respective compartments of said pockets, means for feeding cans into alignment with said pockets during a part of their path of travel including rotatable can carrying discs having can holding means thereon, and means associated With each disc and responsive to movement of a disc from an initial position for moving said holding means into operative relation With a can on the disc.

11. In a filling machine, a measuring pocket, partition means dividing said pocket into a plurality of compartments, means for feeding different stocks to the respective compartments of said pocket, means for feeding a can into alignment with said pocket, including movable can carrying means having can holding means thereon, and means associated with said can carrying means and responsive to movement thereof from an initial position for moving said holding means into operative relation With a can.

12. In a filling machine, a measuring pocket having a plurality of compartments, a hopper for feeding stock to said pocket, and adjustable means in said hopper for selectively directing the stock into any selected compartment.

13. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of measuring pockets carried by said hopper, partition means providing a plurality of compartments in each pocket, a stationary wall means disposed in said hopper and providing separate filling zones for directing different stocks into the respective compartments of said pockets,-and means for feeding stock to each of said filling 'zones.

14. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a series of upright measuring pockets depending from said hopper, vertically disposed partition means providing a plurality of compartments in each pocket, and means for feeding and directing difierent stocks to the respective compartments of'said pockets, said last named means including a dividing Wall mounted in said hopper and having a portion in substantial vertical alignment with the partition means in said pocket.

15. In a filling machine, a series of vertically disposed open-ended measuring pockets, a dividing partition in each of said pockets to provide two separate compartments therein, said partitions having a circular alignment, means for carrying said pockets through a circular path of travel, means for closing the lower end of said pockets during travel thereof along at least a part of said path, and means for filling said compartment with diiierent stocks during travel of said pockets through said path, said last named means including a dividing wall having a portion in vertical alignment with said dividing partitions during a part of their travel.

16. In a filling machine, a hopper, a series of measuring pockets associated with said hopper, partition means for dividing each of said pockets into a plurality of open-ended compartments, means for feeding containers into alignment with said pockets to receive stocks from the compartmerits thereof, and means for effecting relative movement between said pocket and said container during depositing of the stocks in said container to cause mixing of the stocks.

17. In a filling machine, a rotatable hopper, a measuring pocket divided into a plurality of upright compartments for receiving different stocks, means mounting said pockets for movement through a path including successive filling and discharging zones, means for holding containers in aligned relation with said pockets in said discharging zone, and means for efiecting relative rotation between a pocket and the associated container-holding means about the axis of said container during depositing of stocks in said container.

18. In a filling machine, a hopper, a measuring pocket for receiving material from said hopper, partition means dividing said pocket into a plurality of parallel open-ended compartments,

means for holding a container in cooperative relation with said pocket, means for feeding a container to said holding means, and means for effecting relative rotation between said pocket and said holding means whereby to effect a spiral-like deposit of materials from each of said compartments into a container on said holding means.

19. The process of canning fruit cocktail composed of pieces of at least two different stocks, the pieces of at least one of said stocks being diced and the characteristics of said diced stock being so related to the characteristics of the second stock that rubbing contact of the pieces of said diced stock and said second stock would deleteriously aifect said diced stock, said process comprising forming a charge of said two stocks received respectively from two different stations and maintaining said diced stock out of contact with said second stock in said charge, moving said charge to the can while still maintaining said diced and second stocks out of mutual contact, and depositing the stocks of said charge in the can simultaneously, the charges of the diced and second stocks being brought into mutual contact for the first time in the can.

20. The process of canning fruit cocktail composed of pieces of at least three diiiferent stocks, the pieces of at least one of said stocks being diced and the characteristics of said diced stock being so related to the characteristics of the secand of said stocks that rubbing contact of the pieces of said diced stock and said second stock would deleteriously affect said diced stock, said process comprising forming a charge of said three stocks received respectively from three different stations and maintaining said diced stock out of contact with said second stock in said charge, moving said charge to the can while still maintaining said diced and said second stock out of mutual contact, and depositing the stocks of said charge in the can simultaneously, the charges of the diced and second stocks being brought into mutual contact for the first time in the can.

PHILIP I-I. ALLEN. 

